"Sincere
Faith"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.
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"I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys -- tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
I love those inspirational moments in films – whether it’s Knute Rockne inspiring the 1928 Notre Dame football team or John Keating inspiring students in his poetry class:
"Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? --- Carpe --- hear it? --- Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary. (watch it -- go to 4:01)
Sometimes we need a pep talk to get us back on track. Maybe we need a pep talk to get us started on track.
I think this week’s reading from 2 Timothy 1:1-14 is a pep talk.
My heart is beating faster just thinking about it.
But I believe there is something more to learn here than getting inspired and then sent out. Did I just say that? Isn’t a reason we gather for worship to be inspired and sent out to do God’s work?
So let’s go out with a little bit of insight, too.
Four phrases from this morning’s Bible reading:
Let’s start from the end and work backwards.
It is important for us, when we share our stories with other people, to be sure that what we have to say is sound teaching. I don’t mean that it is all figured out or that it adheres to someone’s prescribed set of "Things have to be this way if you say anything other than this you’re in big trouble with God." rules, but rather that when you tell people what following Jesus means to you that you always keep in mind the two rules: (What are they?) Love God – love everyone.
Sometimes we’re just shy. Different people with different personalities find different ways to express what they believe and what they think is important. I think from this reading we’re encouraged to be bold in sharing our journey of faith with others. But how we do that isn’t going to be the same for everyone
Some may talk to people
Some may write what they believe
Some may let their lives live out their faith with very little words?
Just know that whatever way we share – God calls us to be bold – and filled with love.
Have you ever felt that you’ve gotten ‘off track’ with a goal? Have you ever thought that you’ve made a mess of things and you don’t know if things will ever get better? Have you ever questioned your faith so much that you wonder if God still believes in you?
God never leaves – I believe that. God gives to everyone the gift of love and the gift of sharing that love with others. Sometimes we just need to remember that.
I love this one. Here’s the same author that said, I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent." (in reference to a situation where husbands and wives were arguing during worship -- and reflecting a culture that simply did not respect women.) now lifting up two women – Lois and Eunice, as teachers, faith sharers and legacy beginners. Lois and Eunice taught faith. They shared faith. They were the reason this ‘pep talk’ would have any background to it. Two women who, in a culture that did not respect women, were the leaders that the church needed.
Do you know what? This isn’t the only place in the Bible – this progressive Bible – this Bible of the Old and New Testament -- where women are shown as leaders – even though the culture did not respect them.
These women – and others – were leaders in a culture that didn’t respect women.
Today we live in a far different culture – and women and men can lead, teach, learn from, be cared for and by each other.
We can all learn from each other. We can teach each other. We can care for each other. We can be genuine and authentic as we share love and faith with one another.
Here’s a challenge for this week.
Close with prayer
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